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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Nizaar Kinsella

David Datro Fofana seals Union Berlin move as Chelsea look to keep two loan spots open

Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana has joined Bundesliga side Union Berlin on a season-long loan deal.

The 20-year-old joined Chelsea for £10.6million from Molde in January but made just four appearances for the Blues last season.

Union Berlin have qualified for the Champions League next season and Chelsea believe the move to Germany will benefit his development.

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Fofana said: "Union have developed extremely strongly in the last few years and it excites me a lot to be a part of this in the coming season. The club has made a long and hard effort to find me and now I want to repay that with good performances."

Fofana has six years left on his contract at Chelsea and will hope to impress in the Bundesliga and force his way into the Mauricio Pochettino’s squad for the 2024-25 season.

His loan move does not include an option for Union Berlin to buy the striker.

Fofana is the first of seven loan slots available to Chelsea under new FIFA regulations.

The Blues want to retain two loan spots until the end of August, just in case they need them as they bid to offload off a host of unwanted players this summer.

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